It is hard to believe that Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella would exclude fan favorite Carlos Tevez, the leading scorer in Italy’s Serie A, from the World Cup team. But it looks like that is what he is going to do, and fans are so angry they are going to social media and the streets.
On Friday, they held a protest march in Buenos Aires, demanding that their beloved “Carlitos” get a spot on the squad.
Tevez is the leading scorer for first-place Juventus this season with 18 goals, and is tied for the league lead. He previously played at Manchester United and Manchester City, and has always been popular with fans because of his humble beginnings and his tough style of play. He is actually favoured by many fans over Lionel Messi, who is seen as a golden boy who left for Spain at a young age.
But Tevez fell out of favor with Sabella, and has not played for the national team since the 2011 Copa America.
“I’ve got confidence in the strikers that I have. They are all stars at the highest level,” Sabella said after Argentina’s 0-0 tie in a friendly on March 5 against Romania.
It is hard to argue that the Argentina roster is already loaded with Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Angel Di Maria. But Tevez is a world-class player who deserves a shot to make his nation’s World Cup team.
Juventus general manager Beppe Marotta is disappointed Tevez is being left out.
“Clearly Tevez is a man and therefore aspires to wear the jersey of his country, especially at a World Cup,” Marotta told Sky Sport Italia.
“He deserves it for his talents, but the coach makes his decisions. I think it is down to non-football situations we don’t know. As a professional, Tevez accepts this decision with disappointment, but understanding, realizing he can gain satisfaction elsewhere in his career.”
Argentina will be facing Iran , Nigeria and Bosnia-Herzegovina in Group F of the World Cup 2014.
